Paul Olson with the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development stopped in at our studios to present some of the findings from a recent survey of developmental assets for youth in Marquette and Alger Counties done by the agency.

According to the results, there has a significant improvement in the assets that an average area youth will be experiencing as they mature into adulthood. There also were statistical findings that showed that youth in Marquette and Alger Counties were engaging less in high-risk behaviors such as binge drinking and smoking.

Olson also explained what these “developmental assets” are and what the Great Lakes Center For Youth Development will be doing with the findings of this latest survey.

To listen to the interview with Paul Olson, please click “HERE“. To log on to the GLCYD website, please click “HERE“.

We’re certainly in a busy stretch right now! High school and college basketball playoffs, exhibitions and shows, and the never-ending list of community events. It’s no wonder why they call this time of year “March Madness”! We’ve had a whole slew of guests stopping by over the last couple of days and here’s a bit of a recap of what’s going on in Marquette County.

NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS AT NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY PRESENT THE ANNUAL POW WOW.

DANCERS AT THE 2010 NMU POW WOW.

Charlene Brissette, a member of the Native American Student Association at Northern Michigan University, joined Mark & Walt to discuss the 19-th Annual “Learning to Walk Together” Traditional Pow Wow. The event is coming up this Saturday at the Vandament Arena on campus. Charlene gave a run down of the schedule of events at the pow wow and also talked about what people can expect to see, hear and smell if they come by.

The doors open at 11-am on Saturday and there will be Grand Entries at 12 noon and 6-pm. The pow wow is open to the public and admission is free for NMU students and $5.00 for general public.

To listen to Charlene’s interview, please click “HERE“. To find out more about the pow wow and other Native American events coming up at NMU, please click “HERE“.

A SPECIAL DINNER AND RECEPTION IS BEING HELD TO HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED AREA YOUTH.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE, PAUL OLSON.

Paul Olson, Youth Development Associate with the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development, stopped in to chat about the U-P Children’s Coalition 25th Anniversary Dinner, which is being held to recognize all of the folks who came together years ago to develop programs on a local level that were designed to help troubled youth get back on track without having to leave the local area for programs several hours away downstate.

You can find out more about the dinner, it’s location and schedule by clicking “HERE” to listen to Paul’s interview. For more about the U.P. Children’s Coalition, click “HERE” to visit their website.

THE LAKE SUPERIOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP IS HOLDING THEIR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DINNER.

CRYSTAL AND LINDSAY FROM THE LSCP.

Lindsay Hemmila and Crystal Kuklinski, from the Head Office of the Lake Superior Community Partnership came by to preview the Partnership’s annual membership dinner that will be happening next week.

The event has a fun theme this year, and will be a fun night for members of the LSCP. It is an opportunity for members to mix and mingle, have some great food and drink and also recognize some of their key members and business groups for their service to the community and to the LSCP.

Find out how you can get involved with the annual dinner by clicking “HERE“. You can also get some more information about the Lake Superior Community Partnership by visiting their website by clicking “HERE“.

THAT TIES THAT UP!

There’s a bit of a catch up for you! Be sure to check back in here soon, though. More updates will be on the way. Also be sure to tune in to Mark & Walt in the Morning every weekday from 6 to 10am on Sunny 101.9, WKQS-FM.

There’s a whole lot going on in Marquette County over the next few days. Not only is the UP 200 and Midnight Run sled dog race going on, but there are some special events happening as well. As we have a tendency to do here on Mark and Walt in the Morning, we gabbed about all of it. As for some of the specific things going on in and around Marquette County, we had a chance to talk a bit more in depth about some of those things, and here’s some of the highlights!

A GREAT WAY TO HELP SOME GREAT KIDS.

THE ONE AND ONLY STAN HUBERT!

Stan Hubert, owner of the world famous Dry Dock Tavern in Harvey, joined Mark and Walt to chat about the Ride to Benefit MARESA. The event is this Saturday and features a 90-mile snowmobile ride as well as a celebration afterward at the Dry Dock. There will be a silent auction and plenty of food, fun and frivolity. Registration is at 8:30 am Saturday and the ride gets underway with the first group leaving the Dry Dock at 9:00 am. All monies raised will go to benefit the special needs children served by MARESA, or Marquette-Alger Regional Education Service Agency. To listen to the interview with Stan and find out more about this very special event, please click “HERE“.

HELP YOUR NON-PROFIT AGENCY HELP THE COMMUNITY.

THE EFFERVESCENT ANN GONYEA.

Ann Gonyea, with the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development, stopped in on the Mark and Walt show to encourage area non-profit agencies to take part in some upcoming workshops and seminars designed to increase and strengthen the effectiveness of their websites and boards in their efforts to serve the community. The seminars are being held early next week, and Ann wanted to let folks know that there is still time for folks to get themselves or their non-profit agencies registered and involved. To listen to a portion of the interview with Ann, please click “HERE“. To find out more about the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development, please log on to their website by clicking “HERE“.

TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY RIGHT HERE AT HOME.

TOM BALDINI CHATS ABOUT THE ECONOMIC CLUB.

Tom Baldini, Immediate Past President of the Economic Club of Marquette County, stopped in at the Sunny Studios to discuss the latest speaker coming to address the club this Monday evening. Jeff Millin, the President and CEO of Pioneer Surgical Technology, based in Marquette, will be the keynote speaker at their monthly dinner, happening at the Ramada Inn in Marquette. To listen to portions of the interview with Tom, please click “HERE“. To register online for the dinner and to find out more about the Economic Club of Marquette County, please click “HERE“.

FULL UP AND HEADED INTO THE WEEKEND.

Hey! With everything that’s going on around our neck of the woods this weekend (and beyond), be sure to enjoy it! Like I say, “Don’t take it for granted, just take it in!”

Ashley Raybach and Jenna Zdunek, both with the “Y” joined Mark & Walt in the Morning recently to update listeners about the latest events and activities in the works over the next few weeks at the “Y” facility in Marquette. Included in that is a planned wellness and exercise program for cancer survivors as well as a program designed to control diabetes.

They also discussed programs planned at the Negaunee branch of the “Y” as well.

To find out more about these programs and other events going on at the “Y”, you can log on to the “Y” website by clicking “HERE“. To listen to the complete interview with Ashley and Jenna, please click “HERE“.

IT IS WORKSHOP SEASON AT THE GREAT LAKES CENTER FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.

THE GLCYD'S ANN GONYEA.

Ann Gonyea, with the Great Lakes Center For Youth Development, stopped in at the studios and chatted with Mark & Walt in the Morning about the latest goings-on at the agency and what projects they are working on. The month of February is a busy time for their “hands-on” workshop-based training for individuals and groups interested in working with youth as well as non-profit agencies in the community.

The workshops and trainings cover a multitude of programs ranging from effective board building to understanding the myriad of rules and regulations 501c3 non-profit groups must follow. For more about the group and it’s programs, please log on to their website by clicking “HERE“. To listen to the entire interview with Ann, please click “HERE“.

It’s that time of the year! The time where we begin to fill with the anticipation and spirit of the holiday season. I don’t mean getting mad at the crass commercialism that permeates the air at this time with all of the sales and specials that seem to come earlier and earlier every year, I mean the good stuff! I mean the sincere action of helping out a fellow man or woman down on their luck, or giving of gifts to those in need , or just giving of your time. That is truly the holiday spirit.

So, in that vein, here are some events, activities and groups you can check out this weekend as you are out and about planning your attack for Black Friday (which is only one week away) to get your shopping done as soon as possible!

FAMILY VOLUNTEER DAY AT THE Y.

THE GLCYD'S ANN GONYEA.

Ann Gonyea, with the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development, joined us this week to talk about Family Volunteer Day going on at the Y in Marquette. This program is being supported by the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development as a youth-strengthening and family-building exercise and activity. The events are being held on Saturday, and you can find out more about what’s going on by clicking “HERE” to listen to highlights from Ann’s interview. To find out more about the GLCYD, you can log on to their website by clicking “HERE“.

GET ON OUT AND HELP RING THE BELLS!

GO ON...RING THEIR BELL!

Liz Nevala with the Salvation Army of Ishpeming brought her high-energy self to the studios to talk about the fact that there is a current shortage of Salvation Army Red Kettle bell ringers in the Ishpeming Salvation Army service area. She explained how easy and fun it is to be a bell ringer and how a couple of groups, offices or even RADIO SHOWS could turn it into an exciting and enjoyable activity by making it a challenge to see who can raise the most money for the Salvation Army! If you are interested in doing this, or in helping out the Ishpeming Salvation Army in any way, please click “HERE” to listen to portions of Liz’s interview.

SHARE THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON WITH SHARE!

MAUREEN LAWENT

Maureen LaWent, who is becoming a seasonal fixture on “Mark & Walt in the Morning”, joined us recently to remind our listeners about the “SHARE” program and how it can help out on feeding you and your family a delicious holiday meal AND save you some hard-earned cash. This program, which is NOT a charity hand-out, is a food buying group that can save you money by cutting out ancillary “middlemen” out of the process of buying groceries. By becoming involved in SHARE, you can get together a delicious and nutritious holiday dinner with all of the trimmings that not only will fill your belly, but will keep your wallet fairly full as well. To listen to Maureen’s interview, please click “HERE“.

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT!

A weekend full of choices you can consider at your leisure all intended to strengthen you and our kids and your community. Take it as you wish, but be sure to do something at your disposal to make this a great holiday season!

Ahhhhh….starting the week off with a bang! A full show, replete with educational awards and an official political announcement. And don’t forget the Main Street Monday Classic Cartoon segment. As you can see from the amount of entries in Mark’s hand in the photo to the left, many correct entries came in! Congratulations to our latest winner, Gretchen A. of Marquette who walked away with two 14-inch 3-topping pizzas from Main Street Pizza.

What a fun way to start another great week in Marquette! And here are the latest updates:

IT’S EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION WEEK IN MARQUETTE COUNTY.

THE GLCYD'S ANN GONYEA.

Ann Gonyea, with the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development joined us this morning to promote the 17th Annual Excellence in Education Week activities planned for this week in Marquette County. The event features an awards and recognition banquet as well as a series of special events geared to reward students AND teachers for exceeding educational expectations.

To listen to Ann’s interview please click “HERE‘, and to log on to the CLCYD website, please click “HERE“.

STATE SENATOR JASON ALLEN KICKED OFF HIS CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN ON MARK & WALT IN THE MORNING.

JASON ALLEN LAUNCHES HIS CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN.

Thanks to State Senator Jason Allen for stopping in to formally announce his candidacy for the 1st Congressional District of the State of Michigan. Allen is looking to replace outgoing Congressman Bart Stupak, who is retiring after 18 years in office. Allen, a Republican, is running as one of a full slate of candidates , both Republican and Democrat, hoping to to be chosen to succeed the outgoing Menominee Democrat.

To listen to the complete interview with Senator Allen, please click “HERE‘, and for more on his candidacy, please click “HERE“

Ann Gonyea, with the Great Lakes Center For Youth Development joined us in the studios to talk about “sparks”. No, not those kinds of sparks! What she meant was those inklings and early drives people feel as children to follow certain interests. For example, athletics, music, art or even wanting to do radio! Many time as we mature, we put those sparks out or on the back shelf and go on with our lives. Ann told us about a program that focuses on those sparks in area youth to develop them and use them to develop the youth into productive and effective community leaders. To listen to the interview with Ann, please click “HERE“, and to go to the website for the GLCYD agency, please click “HERE“.

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IN MICHIGAN, THE SUMMERTIME VERSION!!

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE'S MATT ZIKA.

Matt Zika, with the National Weather Service Office in Negaunee Township, joined us again to talk about Severe Weather Awareness Week, this time looking at the summertime version with strong thunderstorms, tornadoes and more. Matt told us about the importance of having a working weather radio and being aware of changing weather conditions to be ready for any summertime severe weather that may move across our area. He also talked about the latest round of storm spotter training going on over the next few weeks in all counties here in Upper Michigan and how anyone who is interested in learning more about being a storm spotter this summer season. To listen in to Matt’s interview, please click “HERE” and to head on over to the National Weather Service, please click “HERE“.

A LOCAL BUSINESS DOES WELL.

COUNTRY INN & SUITES GM GAIL ANTHONY.

Gail Anthony, General Manager of the Country Inn & Suites in Marquette joined us to talk about a great recognition recently awarded to the hotel as the Carlson Hotels’ 2009 Hotel of the Year. This is the first time that a Country Inn & Suites has won this international award and according to Anthony, it was an unexpected and surprising honor. So a popular lodging establishment in little ol’ Marquette has gained some international exposure. To listen to Gail’s comments, please click “HERE“.

Representatives from two of Marquette County’s prominent community service agencies, the YMCA of Marquette County and the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development joined us this week and here are highlights from both visits:

YMCA OF MARQUETTE COUNTY COMMUNITY UPDATE.

YMCA'S LISA COOMBS-GEROU.

Director Lisa Coombs-Gerou joined us on Wednesday for the regular “Y Wednesday” update. The primary discussion had to do with the Healthseekers 2010 program that gets underway next week. Also discussed was the YMCA’S annual meeting coming up soon and the changes to the YMCA’S board with a big influx of new board members. You can listen to Lisa’s interview by clicking “HERE“, and you can log on to the YMCA’S website by clicking “HERE“.

GREAT LAKES CENTER FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM UPDATE.

GLCYD'S ANN GONYEA.

GLCYD Media and Outreach co-ordinator Ann Gonyea stopped in this morning to give us an update about programs and activities being sponsored by the agency. The group is currently focusing on assisting area non-profit agencies in developing their boards and other aspects of their organizations. You can listen all of this information in Ann’s interview by clicking “HERE“. You can also access the agency’s programs and find out more by logging onto their website by clicking “HERE.”